Fr. Kelly's Message for May 22nd

What a great gift of the Holy Spirit that we will resume Sunday Masses together in St. Paul’s Church on the Solemnity of Pentecost, May 31. (7:30am, 9:30am, 11:00am)

As you can imagine, there are lots of things to do before that day, and new practices to take on – but there is no doubt we will get through this safely, joyfully and reverently, if we help one another. In the second part of this letter, I offer a more detailed plan which covers the following and adapts instructions that the Archdiocese has provided to our own situation:

complete Mass schedule

confessions update

entrance and exit procedures

safe number of occupants per Mass

how to sign up/reserve a place at a particular Mass

necessity of wearing face coverings

maintaining social distancing

great need for volunteers to sanitize the church between Masses and to guide the flow of people before, during and after Mass

how to make a donation to the parish

how to receive communion

And we’ll have to continue to adapt in the coming weeks. You will be receiving several emails and notices on the website in our ongoing attempt to keep the lines of communication open.

On one level, the experience of Mass together will be very different given the need for the care and safety of all. But, at its core, it is Jesus, the same yesterday, today, and forever!

God bless you, Fr. Kelly

PS: On Saturday afternoon, May 30, at 4:00pm, the wonderful members of our RCIA group will be received into the church and receive the sacraments (the public Easter Vigil having been cancelled.) This, unfortunately, is NOT a public Mass. Please pray for them and their sponsors! Beginning June 6, the Saturday 5:00pm Vigil Mass will return.

PPS: To add to the complexity, the year-long planned repair work on the Ascension frieze above the high altar will begin during the first week of June and last for at least two months. Therefore, the entire sanctuary will be filled with scaffolding. We could not postpone this necessary work any longer.

PPPS (is there such a thing?!): For more details about what things will be like, read on!!

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Moving Forward:A Primer for Mass at St. Paul’s in Harvard Square

As we know, life these days is changed, but not ended! Here is a list of things that you can expect when you return to St. Paul’s for Mass. We are so happy to have you back at Bow and Arrow Streets! As you will hear many times, we are grateful for your patience and flexibility as we find what works best (it may take at least a few weeks), being aware that the Covid 19 virus is still very much a risk. Our outreach could include requests for more volunteers (essential for our keeping the church open for Mass), adjustments of communion procedures, entrance and exit practices, and may-be even change of Mass times and locations. The Archdiocese has made a video available with general norms, and I will offer one for Mass at St. Paul’s as well.

On Sunday, May 31, Masses will be at 7:30am, 9:30am and 11:00am, will be in the main church.

Beginning the weekend of June 6-7: Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:00pm, and Sunday at 7:30am, 9:30am and 11:00am, all in the main church.

Daily Mass (Monday-Friday) will be at 12:10pm only (no 8:00am Mass) IN DIGIOVANNI HALL, which will open at 11:30am.

Beginning June 6, Saturday Masses will be at 9:00am in DiG Hall, opening at 8:30am.

The Church will be closed Monday-Friday for construction work but will open at 4:00pm on Saturdays.

Confessions are still available by appointment. We are considering other options as well, (though the confessional room and traditional confessional will not be usable for the foreseeable future. Stay tuned.)

Because of significant technological considerations and complications, we will not be able to live stream or video Masses once we return to public Masses. We are grateful to those who made this possible for us for so many weeks here at St. Paul’s and that CatholicTV and others provide this wonderful service.

The dispensation from the obligation to Sunday Mass is still in place. At this time, you do not have to attend Mass. If you are 65 or older and/or have any underlying medical concerns, you are advised not come to Mass right now. Certainly, if you are ill, you must stay at home. Parents have the discretion as to whether children should be present at this time.

You are asked to bring your own hand sanitizer and wipes for your pews. (Pews and common touch surfaces will be cleaned between Masses, but this is an extra precaution.) Hand sanitizer will be available while the supply lasts.

Face masks/coverings must be worn by all, with the exception of young children under two years of age, children under five who cannot manage, or those with other medical reasons. ALL OTHERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ENTER THE CHURCH WITHOUT A FACE MASK/COVERING IN PLACE. We regret we cannot provide masks for those who arrive without their own. Your mask will be worn before you enter the church and throughout the ENTIRE Mass.

All will enter the church through the central doors, masks in place, and exit by the two side doors on the left and right of the vestibule (entrance lobby). There can be no gathering in the aisles or vestibule. Follow the arrows.

Use of the elevator or the bridgeway is not permitted at this time. We regret that the church will not be handicapped accessible at this time.

Social distancing of six feet is required at all times, except for household members presently living together, and those who travel in the same car.

Because of the wide spacing required, we can only admit 135 people to each Mass.You will have to reserve a seat:

For now, those without the proper registration form will not be admitted. We will monitor the situation and adjust as necessary. For now, registration for daily Mass is not required.

You will sit only in rows and at the spots marked for that purpose. Only those who currently live in one household or travel in the same car may sit close together.

When the Mass begins, the priest will process in alone from the side. A lector will be seated in place.

Though hard for us at St. Paul’s, there will be no Congregational singing for now. Organ and cantor will be present at some Masses. All hymnals and missalettes have been removed from the pews. You may use a phone app to follow the worship aid provided on the parish website.

There will be no formal Offertory collection. Parishioners are once again encouraged to join the electronic giving program, and to support the 90 Day Initiative (both easily available on the parish website). There will be baskets available at the doors for your weekly envelopes or cash contributions (no coins, please.) We depend on your generosity!

Hosts to be consecrated will be placed on a separate part of the altar.

The Exchange of Peace will be omitted.

For communion, you will follow the direction of the ushers. There will be one, may-be two, communion stations. You must maintain a six-foot distance from the person in front of you (follow the floor markings). When you approach the priest/minister, you will extend one hand flat on top of the other, palm up. You may only receive communion on the hand at this time.

The priest will be wearing a mask during the distribution of communion, as will you. GLOVES MAY NOT BE WORN WHILE RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION. The priest will put the Body of Christ in your hand. You will step to the side to the designated spot, lower your mask, and consume the host.

If the priest/minister makes any contact with your hand, they will stop immediately and sanitize their hand.

If you are not planning to receive communion, you may come forward for a blessing. However, everyone in the pew must exit the pew so that people do not have to climb over/pass by another person.

At the end of Mass, ushers will indicate when your row may exit, back to front. Maintain a safe distance and do not stop in the aisle or in the vestibule. Outside, keep your mask on and maintain a safe distance. You are encouraged to return home as quickly as possible.

The bathrooms near DiGiovanni Hall will be available through the door off the front courtyard on the Mt. Auburn side (marked “St. Paul’s Choir School.”) They will be cleaned between Masses.

No other spaces in the Parish Center or Harvard Catholic Center will be open to the public.

Again, use of the elevator or the bridgeway is not permitted. We regret that the church will not be handicapped accessible for now. The Children’s Play Area will not be available during Mass.

It is a lot to take in, I know. But we will adapt as needed as we all become accustomed to these new procedures.

We have been advised over and over as we move forward: be reverent, proceed slowly and be safe.

During these previous months, our hearts have become restless for the Eucharist and the joy of being together when we worship God. We are inflamed with the Holy Spirit who makes Christ present and reveals the loving face of the Father. May God bless us, everyone.